Volkmar Völzke's BLOG

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Why Donald Trump will win

leadership Nov 03, 2016

It is quite remarkable: since the beginning of the circus around the American presidential elections, one person has almost entirely occupied the stage: “The Donald” as he is often called.

Today, I will tell you why Donald Trump will win (whether or not he wins the presidential elections) and why you should take this lesson very seriously for your leadership.

Why do people choose which president? I will tell you a secret (which is probably not for you): it is NOT because of content. And it’s also little about how someone says something.

No, what matters most is whether people like to be like the person they choose. Or at least similar to the person.

And there is Mr. Trump, a true master in it: rarely would a follower rationally plead for his election. But what his followers share is that they would like to be like him: direct, provocative, ignorant, contemptuous, etc. and even with success! Because most of them are not at home at all. And if they do trust at times,...

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How to change your future

leadership strategy Jul 14, 2016
 

Today, I’m discussing an almost philosophical topic with very practical consequences on your success in life and in business: How do you change your future? 

Watch the video for some interesting insights from the most successful people and businesses.

If you are already at the very top, you’ll find your success factors confirmed. If you are still on your way to the top, I’m sure this video will give you some useful ideas on how to create an even better future. 

Your tasks for this week: 

  1. Throughout your day, watch the state in which you find yourself. Then try to improve this state just a little bit each time. More on this in the video.
  2. Practice presence in each moment, in particular, when you are with others.

These tasks might sound weird if you are not used to the topic, but these are practices to change your future. More on this in the video.

Are you committed to change your future to the better?

Check out my Leadership Mastery Workshops. Click...

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The ultimate secrets of success – and fun!

 

Hey, I know what you are thinking:

“Another article about the secrets of success! We don’t need that! We know it all!” OK, got it; you’re probably right. 

However, when I recently met with a fellow from my years at the golden times at SAP in Switzerland, between 1999 and 2001, when sales just went up through the roof, profits, too, and joy of the over 400 staff members , we clearly identified three guiding forces that made all the difference for the business and the people at the same time. 

I’ll explain them in the video. Just one thing upfront: these three forces have nothing to do with good market conditions or the like. They all come from inside. They are generated. 

Your assignment for today: 

  1. Identify three forces that will make your team outstanding. These can be the same as in the video, but also different if necessary.
  2. For each of the three forces, define three daily routines to amplify their effect. What can you and your...
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What the heck are you selling?

marketing&sales Jul 01, 2016
 

I guess the headline sounds weird to you. “Of course, I know what we are selling!” you might think. Not so fast! Watch the video to learn some surprising views on what you are really selling. And I’ll give you some real life examples.

Action items for today (after you watched the video): 

  1. Write down five cases in which you or your sales team definitely disappointed a customer.
  2. Rate yourself or your sales team for each case on a scale 1-10 in the five categories I explain in the video.
  3. Write down three ideas of how you can increase your rating by at least 3 points on the scale 1-10.

Go do the exercises. Nobody ever improved by just watching and thinking. Make this day, today, your action day.

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We all love winners – and you do, too!

culture leadership mindset Jun 23, 2016
 

Sometimes, we talk as if we truly appreciate the forgotten ones, those that stay in the shade and never make it even close to the top. However, whenever it comes to any emotional appeal, we want to see winners. We cheer for those who score and those who make it to the top. 

You think you are different? Well, each championship – like the currently running Euro 2016 in soccer – is proof of what we all truly love: winning! And seeing winners. 

Let me explain in this week’s video why this always works and how this simple fact can be utilized in your business. And I’m not just talking about things like “team spirit”. No, the focus on winning has some other aspects that most people never think of – and wonder why other teams score better, i.e. their competition wins over and over again. 

Your homework for this week is simple:

Just identify three possibilities where you in your business can leverage the people’s hunger for...

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Is your company exciting or perfect?

culture leadership Jun 16, 2016
 

One of the thought models I use with leadership teams is the typical business development curve between the two dimensions “Enthusiasm” and “Perfection”. The typical life cycle of any business starts out with high enthusiasm and high imperfection of anything they do. 

Over the coming months and years, enthusiasm will decrease. If the leadership team doesn’t increase the performance of their entire operations, then the company will surely get out of business. Low enthusiasm + low performance = end of the game. 

When leaders implement systems to run a high-performing operation, they might well become profitable and can stay in business for a long time. However, as long as enthusiasm continues dropping, they always will operate only at a fraction of their possibilities. 

So, the key question for any sustainable peak performance is simply this: how can you keep up enthusiasm, even when the business becomes more...

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You could at least double your sales!

 

Yes, I know this headline sounds cheeky, and yet, I believe it is true for almost all businesses. When I make such statements to my clients, the reaction is almost always two-fold: First, they don’t believe that it’s possible. And second, when they start thinking that it might be possible then only with the help of external circumstances, lots of resources, or sheer luck. 

Why are most of us so sure that our limiting beliefs are truer than an outrageous assumption? 

Simple answer: because we are accustomed to limited thinking.This – as explained often in my blog articles – is a survival instinct, deeply rooted in our subconscious mind. One of the key reasons for coaching is to break these limiting beliefs, which are virtually always nothing but… beliefs! 

Let me challenge you today by the introductory question and give you 3 key ideas of how you can double your sales in almost any market, with almost any product, and with keeping the...

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You do not seen what you cannot see!

leadership mindset Jun 02, 2016
 

This headline might sound weird, but stick with me and watch the video.

In my workshops, I love to tell this story: When you walk on the streets, there will be somebody passing you who could have a huge impact on your future life. This person will open up an opportunity for you that you didn’t even think of before. After your conversation with this person, your life will completely change to the positive, whether it’s relationship, money, impact or the like. 

Here comes the trick: You don’t know what this person looks like and who he or she is. How much chance do you have to find this person? If a thousand people or so will pass you, can you stop everybody to ask? Theoretically yes, but nobody would. Why not? Because you don’t believe entirely that this opportunity is real. You will think: ‘that’s too much effort for this tiny chance. ‘

Let’s change the game completely by changing just one little detail: This time I tell you...

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The power of "No!"

 

The start of the year is the perfect time to change behaviors that harm your productivity. Learning to focus only on important tasks and, consequently, saying NO more often is one of the critical changes. This is a continuous effort: even the most productive people never stop getting better at it.

Watch this short video to learn about seven things in your daily life you could be saying NO to more often.

Your assignment:

  1. Watch the video and take notes.
  2. Decide which items you will say NO to more often.
  3. Start with your first NO TODAY.

Let me know how it worked.

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How to start the year

leadership mindset Jan 02, 2015
 

I hope you started the new year full of energy, enthusiasm, and joy. I also hope you didn’t make any new year’s resolutions—which will never become reality anyway. Instead, watch the video below to get five ideas on how to make 2015 the most exciting year of your life and business.

And now, ignite the fire in the people around you! I wish you a great 2015!

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